Prescription Policies

Sonoran Spine physicians may prescribe narcotic medications as a part of your post-surgical care. If long term pain management is necessary, patients may be referred to their primary care physician or an interventional pain management physician.

Our medical team must be informed of all current medications including strength and dosages.

Call us if you have any abnormal side effects from any medications that have been prescribed to you by your Sonoran Spine physician.

You are welcome to discuss medications we have prescribed or advised you to take for relief of your pain. Feel free to discuss this with the physician, physician assistant or the physician's medical assistant. Do not increase the prescribed amount of medication.

Refills will not be made if you “run out early.” You must take your medication as prescribed by your physician. You are responsible for your medications. If your medication is lost, misplaced or stolen, they will not be replaced.

Medications may be refilled Monday through Thursday during business hours only. For any controlled substances including narcotic pain medications or muscle relaxants, you must contact the office for a refill request. For all others, the patient may contact their pharmacy to request a refill. If approved by the physician or physician assistant, refills are approved within 48 to 72 hours from the original refill request date.

MEDICATIONS ARE NOT REFILLED ON FRIDAYS, WEEKENDS OR HOLLIDAYS.

For medication refill requests that have to be submitted through our office directly, you must provide the following:

Patient name

Date of birth

Patient phone number

Prescribing physician

Medication name and dosage

Pharmacy name and phone number (only if non controlled prescription medications)

All of the above information is important in order to process your request. Messages at Sonoran Spine are retrieved Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Fridays, 8:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. No refills are given on Fridays.

NOTE: Some narcotic medications cannot be refilled by phone and there are no refills on controlled medications. For these medications, you need to contact our office instead of your pharmacy. (Possible medications include Percocet (Oxycodone), Oxycontin, Demerol, Dilaudid, Fentanyl and Norco (Hydrocodone).

Please allow appropriate time for processing of your request.

IMPORTANT POINTS WHEN TAKING PAIN MEDICATION:

Many pain medications contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is recommended that one not exceed more than 4,000 mg (4 grams) in 24 hours. Liver damage can occur when this amount is exceeded. Acetaminophen may also be found in over-the-counter medications including sinus, cough or cold medications.

Never mix analgesic (pain) medication or muscle relaxants with alcohol.

Do not drive motorized vehicles or operate heavy machinery while taking pain medication or muscle relaxants.

Pain medications may be very constipating. To avoid constipation, eat a well-balanced diet including fresh fruits, raw vegetables and other fiber rich foods. Drink 6-8 large glasses of water daily.